Folding chair

ABSTRACT

A folding seat includes a web which is supported between a pair of folding frames by three detachable cross members extending between the frames. The web forms a sling in which a person may sit. The frame members each include a horizontally extending arm with a front leg pivoted to one end thereof and a rear leg pivoted to the other end thereof. The rear leg is pivoted to fold against and along the arm while the front leg is equipped with a dogleg so that it pivots over and along the rear leg.

finite Eate s Beckiey Dec. 24, 1974 FOLDING CHAIR 2,509,638 5/1950Gunshot 297/441 [76] Inventor: Charles Randolph Beckley, 2708 g y297/440 v g 1tz 297/440 g 8 6- Washmgwn, 3,643,997 2/1972 Gilbert 297441 [22] Filed; July 23, 1973 Primary Examiner-Franeis K. Zugel pp No l381 7597 Attorney, Agent, or FirmSherman & Shalloway s7 ABSTRACT 52 e nu.I I 1 s Cl 297/16 297/441 43 A folding-seat includes a web wh ch 15supported be- [51] Int Cl A47c 4/32 tween a pair of folding frames bythree detachable [58] Fie'ld 440 441 cross members extending between theframes. The 297/457 b web forms a sling in which a person may sit. The vframe members each include-a horizontally extending f and .a [56]References Clted arm with a front leg p1v0ted to one end thereo rear legp voted to the other end thereof. The rear leg UNITED STATES PATENTS 1is pivoted to fold against and along the arm while the (E:ibee...(.i2975195733 front leg is equipped with a dogleg S0 that it pivots oonroth 1,564,189 12/1925 Anderson. 108/35 Over and akmg a rear leg 1,785,31712/1930 16 Claims,'6 Drawing Figures PATENTED UEB24I974 FIGS ,of theseat.

, FOLDING CHAIR I BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION 1. Fie1d of the InventionThis invention relates to seats and, more particularly,

this invention relates to seats which fold from an erect 7 I convenientstorage position using prior art techniques.

The general idea behind most folding chairsis to reduce one dimension ofthe chair so that most of the chairs structure is confined within a twodimensional reference frame. This allows several chairs to be storedwithin the space ordinarily occupied by one chair. To

accomplish this several basic approaches have been taken by the priorart. In one general arrangement, the

two front legs of a chair are pivoted to one another and the two rearlegs to one another. By having a flexible back and a flexible seat, thechair'readily folds upon pivoting the legs into alignment. anotherarrangement is to pivot the front legs to the seating portion and toconnect the seating portion to the back and rear legs other seatingstructures, and arrangements .such as a sofa, a bench or any otherseating structure designed to accommodate one or more persons. The'seat,11 includes aweb, designated generally bythe numeral l2,

which is supported between a pair of frame members, designated generallyby the numerals 13-13. The web 12 is made of a fabric such as canvas,vinyl or the like and serves to receive and support a person seating inthe seat. In order to support the web 12 between the frames 13-13, theweb is secured to front, top, and

rear cross members 14, and 16 which extend between the frame members todefine the front,'top, and rear respectively of the seat 11.

In the illustrated embodiment the web12 is divided I into a frontsegment 17, a back segment 18,- and area v segment 19. The front, backand rear segments '17, 1 8

and 19 radiate from a seam 21 with the front segment having its free end22 attached to the front cross member 14, the back segment 18 having itsfree end 23 atwith a sliding pivot so that the front legs and seatingportion can be collapsed against the back and rear legs.

There are of course other approaches and variations to thesearrangements;- however, none of these are adaptable to the modernrectangular seat or chair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed to a foldable seatwhich includes a web portion supported between a pair of frame members.Each frame member has an arm which has front and back legs pivotedthereto. One of the legs on each arm 'pivots to lie directly along thearm while'the second leg on each arm has a link projecting therefromwhich ispivoted to the arm to allow the second leg to pivot and overliethe first leg.

. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an. isometric view of aseat, according to the invention, which'is in an erect position so thata personmay sit in it;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the seat of FIG. 1 being folded vto'acollapsed position; I

- FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the seat of FIG. 1 after it iscompletely collapsed;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the seat of FIG. 1 showing detachableparts of the seatseparated from one another;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the seat of FIG. showing the seat in 'acollapsed position but supported, on its end for storage, and

FIG. 6 is a view of a coupling composing a pair of mating brackets whichmay be used to assemble parts in mind that the seat 11 could also beinthe form of tached to the top cross member 15 and therear seg-- mentl9 havingits free end 24 attached'to the rear cross member 16. The frontsegment 17 serves to support the buttocks and thighs of a person sittingin the seat'lluwhile the back. segment 18 supports the backof a personsitting in the seat 11. In order to help define acomfo'rtable sittingcontour, the rear segment 19, limits forward movement of the seam 21 bylimiting the distance from the rear cross member 16 that the seam canmove when aperson sits in the seat 11.

By choosing various lengths for each of the segments 17, 18 and 19 theshape of the web 12 can be changed so as to create different seatingcontours and positions allowing the seat 11 to accommodate differentseating positions and body dimensions comfortably. In the illustratedembodiment, the shape of the web 12 is con-,

trolled by making the lengths of the segments 17, 18 and 19 readilyadjustable. This is accomplished by equipping the free ends 22, 23and-24 of the, segments 17, 18 and 19 with rows 26-26 of eyelets 27-27(see FIG. 4) which receive rows 28-28. of headed pins 29-29 projectingfrom the cross members 14,15 and 16. To adjust the length of any of thesegments l7, 18 or 19, different rows 26-26 of eyelets 27-27 areregistered'with the rows 28-28 of headed pins 29-29 on the cross member14, 15 and 16. For'example, to adjust the back segment 18 in order tolift the seam 21 and raise the rear of the front segment 17 a row 26 ofeyelets 27-27 closer to the seam 21 is engaged by the row 28 of pins 29on the cross member 15. Although the.

creasing the length of the segment 18 as previously dis-- cussed. v 1 IIn order to prevent theheaded pins 29-29 from sticking into a personsitting in the seat 11 the pins are positioned to project inwardly fromthecross members l4, l5 and 16. In other words, the pins 29-29 on thefront cross member 14 project rearward while the pins 29-29 on the rearcross member 16 project forward and .those on the top cross member 15project downward. The free ends 22, 23 and 24 then loop'over theirrespective cross members 14,15 and 16 before receiv mg the pins 29-29 inthe eyelets 26-26. In addition i to obviating the hazard of the pins29-29 this arrangement imparts a pleasing appearance to the seat 1].enhancing its value as a piece of furniture.

While the illustrated embodiment discloses utilizing rows 28 of headedpins 29-29 and rows 26 of eyelets 27 to secure the web 12 to the crossmembers 14, and 16 it should be understood that other arrangements suchas strips of VELCRO" material, zippers or the like may be used to attachthe web 12. Of course the web 12 may be simply looped around the crossmembers 14, 15 and 16.

The frame members 13-13 between which the cross members 14, 15 and 16extend include arm members 31-31, front leg members 32-32'and rear legmembers 33-33. The arm members 31-31 are spaced by and joined to the topcross member 15 while the front legs 32-32 are spaced by and joined tothe front cross member l4'and rear legs are spaced by and joined to therear cross member 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the arm members31-31 each have front and rear ends 34 and 36 respectively whichbevelled so that each form45degree angles withthe horizontal extent ofthe arm members. The front legs 32-32 and rear legs 33-33 each have tops37 and 38, respectively, which are bevelled to form 45 angles with thevertical extent of the legs and therefore complement the 45 angles ofthe arm ends 34 and 36 so that the-legs project normally from the arms31-31 when the tops of the legs abut the ends of the arms. If it isdesired to alter the angles at which the legs 32-32 and 33-33 projectfrom the arms then the angles of the various ends 34 through 38 may bechanged. For example, if for some reason it is desired to slant thefront legs 32-32 forward and the rear legs 33-33 rearward the angles atwhich the legs abut the ends 34 and 36 of the arms may be increased.

In order to provide a means for folding the seat 11 from the erectposition shown in FIG. 1 to the collapsed position shown in FIGS.'3 and5,'-the front and rear legs 32-32 and 33-33 are hinged to the front andrear ends 34 and 36 of the arms 31-31. Before folding the seat 11 a pairof detachable bars 39-39 which extend between the legs 32 and 33 areremoved. The bars 39-39 ordinarily help retain the legs 32 and 33 ofeach frame 13 spaced apart when the seat 11 is in the erect position. asseen in FIG. 2, upon removing the bars 39-39, the rear legs 33-33 pivotforward or counterclockwise as shown in the drawings and the front legs32-32 pivot rearward or clockwise. The legs 32-32 and 33-33 pivot untilthey extend along the arms 31-31 as shown in FIG..3.

In order to collapse the seat 11 from the FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 position, thefront and rear legs 32-32 and 33-33 must be hinged so that the rear legsnest be-' tween the front legs and the arms 31-31. This is accomplishedby hinging each of rear legs 33-33 to pivot about a line defining thejuncture between the front surfaces 41 of the rear legs and the bottomsurface 42 of the arms. In the illustrated embodiment, a butterfly hinge43 (see FIG. 5) provides the pivot by having a first wing 44 secured "tothe surface 41 and a second wing-46 secured tothe surface 42 with ajoining pintle 47 aligned with the juncture of the surfaces. This anrangement allows each rear leg 33 to fold, both along and flat againstits respective arm31.

After the rear legs 33-33 are folded to the FIG. 3

position, the front legs 32-32 are pivoted about pivots ply slid intoengagement with the corresponding brack-. ets on the frames 13-13 todetachably join the mem-- 48. Each leg 32 has a dog or link 49projecting therefrom which is pivoted to one of the pivots 48. In theillustrated embodiment, the dogs 49 are rigidly secured to the frontlegs'32-32. By rigidly securing the dogs 49 to the front legs 32-32, thelegs can be folded without having to deal with additional articulationwhich would result from having a pivotal connection between the legs anddogs. As seen in FIG. 3, the lengths of dogs 49 are slightly greaterthan the widths 51 of the rear legs 33-33. This enables the front legs32-32 to fold over the rear legs 33-33 so that the front legs overlaythe rear legs and extend therealong.

In order to accommodate the dogs 49 in the arms 31-31 when the seat 11is in the erect position the arms have slots 52 shown in dotted formedin the front ends 34 thereof. When the front legs 32-32 are moved fromthe FIG. 3 position to the FIG. 1 position the dogs 49 simply pivot intothe slots 52 where they. are hidden from signt.

Although the illustrated embodiment shows the dogs 49 attached to thefront legs 32-32 and pivoted to the front ends 34 of the arms 31-31, itshould be kept in mind that the dogs 49 could be attached to the rearlegs 33-33 and pivoted to the rear ends 36 of the arms without departingfrom the spirit of this invention.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the seat 11 is shown in its foldedor collapsedcondition while resting upright on the tops 38 of the rear legs 33-33and rear ends 36 of the arms 31-31. By designing the seat 11 as shown inthe illustrated embodiment the center of gravity 53 of the seat ispositioned so that it is between the tips of arm rear ends 36 and thetip of the leg tops 38. Consesingle cross member 14 attached to thefront legs 32-32 and thereby shift the center of gravity back toward thearm members 31-31.

On some occasions, it may be desirable to break the seatl 1 down furtherso that it can be stored in even less space than it occupies in the FIG.3or FIG. 4 position.

As shown in FIG. 5 this is accomplished by making the cross members 14,15 and 16 detachable from the frame members 13-13. When each frame 13 isfolded and the bars 39-39 and cross members 14, I5 and 16 are laidparallel to the frame members the seat 11 is reduced to a convenientpackage which can be wrapped with'the web 12 for convenient transport orstorage.

Any convenient coupling which detachably secures the ends of crossmembers l4, l5 and 1.6 and the bar members 39-39 to the frames 13-13 maybe used. An example of such a coupling is shown in, FIG. 6 which shows apair of brackets generallydesignated by the numerals 61-61. One of thebrackets 61-61 is attached to each of the legs 32-32 and 33-33 and tothe arms 31-31 of the frame members 13-13 while another bracket isattached to the ends of the members 14, 15 and 16. The brackets 61-61 onthe members are simbers to the frames.

The seat 11 shown in the illustrated embodiment is most convenientlymade of wood, however, other materials such as metal or plastic may beused. .By using wood, the frames 13-13 and cross members l4, l5 and 16can be conveniently manufactured from 2X4, 2X3 or similar lumber stockwhich will provide dimensions which are sufficient to readily providestops between the ends 34 and 36 of the arms 3 1-3l and the tops 37 and38 of the front and rear legs 3232 and 33-33. In addition 2X4 2X3 lumberprovides the seat 11 with an attractive appearance.

What is claimed is:

l. A seat which is foldable to assume either an erect sittable conditionor a collapsed condition wherein the seat includes at least two foldingframe members, each of which comprises:

an arm having first and second ends and extending generally in ahorizontal direction when the seat is in the erect condition;

a first leg for supporting the first end of said arm when the seat is inthe erect condition;

means for pivoting one end of the first leg adjacent to the first end ofthe arm to extend the first leg from the arm at an angle thereto whenthe seat is in the erect condition and to fold the first leg to extendalong the arm in close proximity thereto when the seat is in thecollapsed condition, said first end of said arm and the adjacent end ofsaid leg forming means for supporting the seat in self-supporting,collapsed, storable condition with the arm and leg extending vertically;

a second leg for supporting the second end of said arm member when theseat is in the erect condition; and link member pivoted adjacent to thesecond end of the arm and secured to the second leg, wherein said linkmember extends from said arm and past said first leg when the seat is inthe collapsed condition to fold said second leg to extend along saidfirst leg in close proximity thereto and wherein the link member extendsgenerally along, said arm to project said second leg at an angle fromsaid arm when the seat is in the erect condition.

2. The seat of claim 1 wherein the link member is rigidly secured to thesecond leg to form an integral unit with the second leg.

3. The seat of claim 1 further including stop means for retaining thefirst and second legs at their respective angles with the arm.

4. The seat of claim 3 wherein the stop means include portions of thearm located adjacent to the ends of the arm which engage portions of thelegs located adjacent to the ends of the arms.

5. The seat of claim 1 wherein the arm, the first leg and the second legare substantially linear in geometry and fold in the same plane.

6. The seat of claim 1 further including means for holding the first andsecond legs positively in position to support the arm when the seat iserect.

7. The seat of claim 6 wherein the holding means includes a bar whichextends between the first and second legs at locations thereon spacedfrom said arm.

8. The seat of claim 5 wherein the first and second ends of the armmember form acute angles with the horizontal extent of the arm memberand wherein the first and second legs have ends which are angled tocomplement those angles when the seat is in the erect condition.

9. A seat which is foldable to assume either an erect sittable conditionor a collapsed storable condition wherein the seat includes at least twofolding frame members, each of which comprises:

an arm having first and second ends and extending generally in ahorizontal direction when the seat is in theerect condition, said endsof said arm being bevelled to define a surface which faces downwardlywhen the seat is in the erect condition;

a first leg for supporting the first end of said arm when the seat is inthe erect condition;

means for pivoting one end of the first leg adjacent to the first end ofthe arm to extend the first leg from the arm at an angle thereto whenthe seat is in the erect condition and to fold the first leg toextend-along the arm in close proximity thereto when the seat is in thecollapsed condition, said end of said first leg being bevelled to definea surface which engages the surface defined by the associated bevelledend of the arm to support the arm when the seat is in the erectcondition;

a second leg for'supporting the second end of said arm member when theseat is in the erect condition, said second leg having an end adjacentto said second end of said arm wherein said'end of said second leg isbevelled to define a surface which engages the surface defined by theassociated bevelled end of the arm to support the arm when the seat isin the erect condition; and

j a link member pivoted adjacent to the second end of the arm andsecured to the second leg, wherein said link member extends from saidarm and past said first leg when the seat is in the collapsed conditionto fold said second leg to extend along said first leg in closeproximity thereto and wherein the link member extends generally alongsaid arm to. project said second leg at an angle from said arm when theseat is in the erect condition.

10. The seat of claim 9 wherein when the first leg is folded to extendalong the arm and the second leg is folded to extend along the firstleg, the first end of the arm cooperates with the adjacent end of thefirst leg to form a support for retaining the seat in the collapsedstorable condition with the arm and the legs extending vertically.

11. A seat which is foldable to assume either an erect sittablecondition or a collapsed storable condition, comprising:

A. a pair of frame members which define sides of the seat wherein eachframe member includes:

1. an arm having first and second ends and extending generally in ahorizontal direction when the seat is in the erect condition;

2. a first leg pivoted adjacent to the first end of the arm forextending therefrom when the seat is erect and forextending therealongwhen the seat is collapsed;

3. a second leg pivoted adjacent to the second end of the arm forextending therefrom when the seat is erect and for extending along thefirst leg when the seat is collapsed;

4. a link extending from the second leg and joined by a pivot to the armat a location adjacent to the second end of the arm, said link extendingpast the first leg when the seat is collapsed; and

5. a slot extending in the arm back from the second end of the arm toreceive the link therein when the seat is erect, said slot supportingand concealing said link;

a system of joining members which combine with the pair of frame membersto define a top, a front and a back of the seat wherein at leastonejoining member extends between the arms of the frame, at least onejoining member extends between the first legs of the frame and at leastone joining member extends between the secondlegs of the frame; and

tive to the frame members to allow the frame members to move toward oneanother.

14. The seat of claim 11 wherein the web includes a first portion whichextends between the joining member connecting the first legs and thejoining member connecting the second legs to form a sitting support anda second portion which extends between the first portion and the joiningmember connecting the arms to form a back support.

15. The seat of claim 14 wherein the second portion of the web isadjustable in length to adjust the sitting position of the seat.

16. The seat of claim 14 wherein the web is detachable from the joiningmembers.

1. A seat which is foldable to assume either an erect sittable conditionor a collapsed condition wherein the seat includes at least two foldingframe members, each of which comprises: an arm having first and secondends and extending generally in a horizontal direction when the seat isin the erect condition; a first leg for supporting the first end of saidarm when the seat is in the erect condition; means for pivoting one endof the first leg adjacent to the first end of the arm to extend thefirst leg from the arm at an angle thereto when the seat is in the erectcondition and to fold the first leg to extend along the arm in closeproximity thereto when the seat is in the collapsed condition, saidfirSt end of said arm and the adjacent end of said leg forming means forsupporting the seat in self-supporting, collapsed, storable conditionwith the arm and leg extending vertically; a second leg for supportingthe second end of said arm member when the seat is in the erectcondition; and a link member pivoted adjacent to the second end of thearm and secured to the second leg, wherein said link member extends fromsaid arm and past said first leg when the seat is in the collapsedcondition to fold said second leg to extend along said first leg inclose proximity thereto and wherein the link member extends generallyalong said arm to project said second leg at an angle from said arm whenthe seat is in the erect condition.
 2. The seat of claim 1 wherein thelink member is rigidly secured to the second leg to form an integralunit with the second leg.
 2. a first leg pivoted adjacent to the firstend of the arm for extending therefrom when the seat is erect and forextending therealong when the seat is collapsed;
 3. a second leg pivotedadjacent to the second end of the arm for extending therefrom when theseat is erect and for extending along the first leg when the seat iscollapsed;
 3. The seat of claim 1 further including stop means forretaining the first and second legs at their respective angles with thearm.
 4. The seat of claim 3 wherein the stop means include portions ofthe arm located adjacent to the ends of the arm which engage portions ofthe legs located adjacent to the ends of the arms.
 4. a link extendingfrom the second leg and joined by a pivot to the arm at a locationadjacent to the second end of the arm, said link extending past thefirst leg when the seat is collapsed; and
 5. a slot extending in the armback from the second end of the arm to receive the link therein when theseat is erect, said slot supporting and concealing said link; B. asystem of joining members which combine with the pair of frame membersto define a top, a front and a back of the seat wherein at least onejoining member extends between the arms of the frame, at least onejoining member extends between the first legs of the frame and at leastone joining member extends between the second legs of the frame; and C.a web supported from the joining members for forming a sling to seat aperson.
 5. The seat of claim 1 wherein the arm, the first leg and thesecond leg are substantially linear in geometry and fold in the sameplane.
 6. The seat of claim 1 further including means for holding thefirst and second legs positively in position to support the arm when theseat is erect.
 7. The seat of claim 6 wherein the holding means includesa bar which extends between the first and second legs at locationsthereon spaced from said arm.
 8. The seat of claim 5 wherein the firstand second ends of the arm member form acute angles with the horizontalextent of the arm member and wherein the first and second legs have endswhich are angled to complement those angles when the seat is in theerect condition.
 9. A seat which is foldable to assume either an erectsittable condition or a collapsed storable condition wherein the seatincludes at least two folding frame members, each of which comprises: anarm having first and second ends and extending generally in a horizontaldirection when the seat is in the erect condition, said ends of said armbeing bevelled to define a surface which faces downwardly when the seatis in the erect condition; a first leg for supporting the first end ofsaid arm when the seat is in the erect condition; means for pivoting oneend of the first leg adjacent to the first end of the arm to extend thefirst leg from the arm at an angle thereto when the seat is in the erectcondition and to fold the first leg to extend along the arm in closeproximity thereto when the seat is in the collapsed condition, said endof said first leg being bevelled to define a surface which engages thesurface defined by the associated bevelled end of the arm to support thearm when the seat is in the erect condition; a second leg for supportingthe second end of said arm member when the seat is in the erectcondition, said second leg having an end adjacent to said second end ofsaid arm wherein said end of said second leg is bevelled to define asurface which engages the surface defined by the associated bevelled endof the arm to support the arm when the seat is in the erect condition;and a link member pivoted adjacent to the second end of the arm andsecured to the second leg, wherein said link member extends from saidarm and past said first leg when the seat is in the collapsed conditionto fold said second leg to extend along said first leg in closeproximity thereto and wherein the link member extends generally alongsaid arm to project said second leg at an angle from said arm when theseat is in the erect condition.
 10. The seat of claim 9 wherein when thefirst leg is folded to extend along the arm and the second leg is foldedto extend along the first leg, the first end of the arm cooperates withthe adjacent end of the firsT leg to form a support for retaining theseat in the collapsed storable condition with the arm and the legsextending vertically.
 11. A seat which is foldable to assume either anerect sittable condition or a collapsed storable condition, comprising:A. a pair of frame members which define sides of the seat wherein eachframe member includes:
 12. The seat of claim 11 wherein the joiningmembers are movable relative to the frames to allow the frame members tocollapse toward one another.
 13. The seat of claim 12 wherein thejoining members are detachable from the frame members to move relativeto the frame members to allow the frame members to move toward oneanother.
 14. The seat of claim 11 wherein the web includes a firstportion which extends between the joining member connecting the firstlegs and the joining member connecting the second legs to form a sittingsupport and a second portion which extends between the first portion andthe joining member connecting the arms to form a back support.
 15. Theseat of claim 14 wherein the second portion of the web is adjustable inlength to adjust the sitting position of the seat.
 16. The seat of claim14 wherein the web is detachable from the joining members.